Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I&#8217;ve got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever&#8217;s on your mind. This week, we&#8217;re discussing the other Oilers waiting for contracts, Connor McDavid wanting to shoot more, cap compliance, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.

<figure id="attachment_175474" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-175474" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-175474" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-175474" class="wp-caption-text">May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
1) Brendyn asks &#8211; I know we&#8217;re all waiting on the Connor McDavid extension, but at what point does Stan Bowman have to stop delaying conversations with other pending UFAs like <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/08/05/projecting-jake-walman-extension-edmonton-oilers/">Walman, Ekholm, and Podkolzin</a>?
Zach Laing:
I don’t think there’s any need to rush into those other deals right now. The McDavid contract needs to be sorted out given the amount of cap space it’s to take up.
Baggedmilk:
I would start getting things going with Walman, but I think Ekholm and Podkolzin can probably wait.
<figure id="attachment_177322" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177322" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-177322" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-177322" class="wp-caption-text">Nov 20, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
2) Sleddogg asks &#8211; With <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/07/edmonton-oilers-how-many-goals-will-connor-mcdavid-score-2025-26-season/">97 saying that he wants to shoot more</a>, what would set the over/under at for him this season? I feel that if he scores more than 55 the Oilers will win the cup because he will have finally learned to be assertive, more dangerous, and it will lead to more goals in the playoffs, where we need him the most, and he has been, sadly, shut down in the biggest games of his life.
Zach Laing:
Bet 365 has McDavid to score 40+ goals this year at -110 and him to score 50+ goals at +650. I’m going to have to get on both of those as I love the numbers. Over his career, he’s averaged .51 goals per game, and has had a game with two or more goals, on average, every 6.8 games he’s played. A career 15 percent shooter, he’d need 334 shots on goal to hit 50 this season.
Baggedmilk:
I have him getting 50 again this year, and I think he can absolutely do it if he follows his own desire to shoot the puck more. He&#8217;s the best player on the ice, and I love the idea of letting the big dog eat.
<figure id="attachment_178777" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-178777" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-178777" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-1024x683.jpg" alt="Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-178777" class="wp-caption-text">Dec 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) calls for the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>
3) Yves asks &#8211; Do you think the report of <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/14/sunday-scramble-kirill-kaprizovs-bold-gamble-quinn-hughes-puts-pressure-on-canucks-season-chls-petty-scout-passes/">Kirill Kaprizov</a> turning down a $16m x 8 year contract is affecting the McDavid negotiations? If Kaprisov is being offered $16m then McDavid should be closer to $17-18m, right?
Zach Laing:
That would be my guess as well. I don’t think Kaprizov, Eichel or any high-end forward is going to sign a long-term extension until McDavid does.
Baggedmilk:
Who knows if one has to do with the other. TBH, I really only care what happens with Connor right now.
<figure id="attachment_91226" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-91226" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-91226" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-1024x751.jpg" alt="NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman" width="1024" height="751" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-1024x751.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-300x220.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-768x563.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-1536x1127.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-2048x1502.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-91226" class="wp-caption-text">Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks before the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
4) Geoff asks &#8211; Won&#8217;t the NHL&#8217;s new playoff rules about being cap compliant kill the trade deadline or am I not understanding things properly?
Zach Laing:
I could see it having a bit of an impact, but not as big as some people think. What’s going to be a killer is the rule changes about double retention.
Baggedmilk:
I&#8217;m interested to see what happens this year because teams won&#8217;t be able to bring back millions of dollars of quality talent for their playoff push. We&#8217;ll see. I&#8217;m not smart enough to really understand it yet.
<figure id="attachment_160591" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-160591" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-160591" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-160591" class="wp-caption-text">Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie at the Penticton Young Stars Tournament</figcaption></figure>
5) Nathan asks &#8211; Outside of <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/13/first-thoughts-matthew-savoie-isaac-howard-edmonton-oilers-vs-calgary-flames-rookie-game/">Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard</a>, are there any young players or rookies who you think have a realistic chance of cracking the NHL roster?
Zach Laing:
I think those are the only two.
Baggedmilk:
Is Noah Philp still considered young? Him then.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png 728w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME-300x166.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" />
Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

Good morning, everyone, and a happy Monday to you all. As always, I've got a fresh mailbag ready to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their take on whatever's on your mind. This week, we're discussing the other Oilers waiting for contracts, Connor McDavid wanting to shoot more, cap compliance, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a>, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.



[caption id="attachment_175474" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-175474" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/USATSI_26107912-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Jake Walman" width="1024" height="683" /> May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Jake Walman (96) warms up before game one against the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images[/caption]

1) Brendyn asks - I know we're all waiting on the Connor McDavid extension, but at what point does Stan Bowman have to stop delaying conversations with other pending UFAs like <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/08/05/projecting-jake-walman-extension-edmonton-oilers/">Walman, Ekholm, and Podkolzin</a>?

Zach Laing:

I don’t think there’s any need to rush into those other deals right now. The McDavid contract needs to be sorted out given the amount of cap space it’s to take up.

Baggedmilk:

I would start getting things going with Walman, but I think Ekholm and Podkolzin can probably wait.

[caption id="attachment_177322" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-177322" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/USATSI_21944149-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid" width="1024" height="683" /> Nov 20, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

2) Sleddogg asks - With <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/07/edmonton-oilers-how-many-goals-will-connor-mcdavid-score-2025-26-season/">97 saying that he wants to shoot more</a>, what would set the over/under at for him this season? I feel that if he scores more than 55 the Oilers will win the cup because he will have finally learned to be assertive, more dangerous, and it will lead to more goals in the playoffs, where we need him the most, and he has been, sadly, shut down in the biggest games of his life.

Zach Laing:

Bet 365 has McDavid to score 40+ goals this year at -110 and him to score 50+ goals at +650. I’m going to have to get on both of those as I love the numbers. Over his career, he’s averaged .51 goals per game, and has had a game with two or more goals, on average, every 6.8 games he’s played. A career 15 percent shooter, he’d need 334 shots on goal to hit 50 this season.

Baggedmilk:

I have him getting 50 again this year, and I think he can absolutely do it if he follows his own desire to shoot the puck more. He's the best player on the ice, and I love the idea of letting the big dog eat.

[caption id="attachment_178777" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-178777" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_24973724-1024x683.jpg" alt="Minnesota Wild Kirill Kaprizov" width="1024" height="683" /> Dec 12, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov (97) calls for the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images[/caption]

3) Yves asks - Do you think the report of <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/14/sunday-scramble-kirill-kaprizovs-bold-gamble-quinn-hughes-puts-pressure-on-canucks-season-chls-petty-scout-passes/">Kirill Kaprizov</a> turning down a $16m x 8 year contract is affecting the McDavid negotiations? If Kaprisov is being offered $16m then McDavid should be closer to $17-18m, right?

Zach Laing:

That would be my guess as well. I don’t think Kaprizov, Eichel or any high-end forward is going to sign a long-term extension until McDavid does.

Baggedmilk:

Who knows if one has to do with the other. TBH, I really only care what happens with Connor right now.

[caption id="attachment_91226" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-91226" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/NHL-Commissioner-Gary-Bettman-NHL-Draft-1024x751.jpg" alt="NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman" width="1024" height="751" /> Jun 21, 2019; Vancouver, BC, Canada; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks before the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

4) Geoff asks - Won't the NHL's new playoff rules about being cap compliant kill the trade deadline or am I not understanding things properly?

Zach Laing:

I could see it having a bit of an impact, but not as big as some people think. What’s going to be a killer is the rule changes about double retention.

Baggedmilk:

I'm interested to see what happens this year because teams won't be able to bring back millions of dollars of quality talent for their playoff push. We'll see. I'm not smart enough to really understand it yet.

[caption id="attachment_160591" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-160591" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Edmonton-Oilers-prospect-Matthew-Savoie-1024x683.jpg" alt="Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie" width="1024" height="683" /> Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie at the Penticton Young Stars Tournament[/caption]

5) Nathan asks - Outside of <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2025/09/13/first-thoughts-matthew-savoie-isaac-howard-edmonton-oilers-vs-calgary-flames-rookie-game/">Matt Savoie and Isaac Howard</a>, are there any young players or rookies who you think have a realistic chance of cracking the NHL roster?

Zach Laing:

I think those are the only two.

Baggedmilk:

Is Noah Philp still considered young? Him then.
<h2>PRESENTED BY STAR MECHANICAL</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-146181" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Article-2-SME.png" alt="" width="728" height="404" />

Star Mechanical is one of Edmonton’s biggest locally owned and operated plumbing and heating businesses. They have been working within the community for over 20 years, and many of the homes built in Edmonton over the last two decades have had their plumbing and heating systems installed by Star Mechanical.  Visit them at <a href="http://starmechanical.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://starmechanical.ca&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1707492487512000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mVs3WUkp8iUCZ0kJRe9lJ">starmechanical.ca</a> to schedule an appointment and let them help keep your home running smoothly.

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Why Matt Savoie should stay on Connor McDavid’s wing

Oilers place Troy Stecher on waivers, assign Isaac Howard to AHL Condors

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